The Chicago Bears are coming off their best season in over a decade - an 11-6 finish and a playoff run that had fans dreaming big for the first time in 15 years. Now, with the 2026 season on the horizon, the expectations in the Windy City are sky-high. And honestly, there’s good reason for it.
After watching the Seahawks hoist the Lombardi Trophy following a win over the Patriots, the Bears are heading into the offseason with one goal in mind: get back to the postseason and finish the job. The last time Chicago won it all was 1985. This current squad is built to make a serious push to end that drought.
According to early projections, including one from Bleacher Report’s Taylyn Hadley, the Bears aren’t just expected to return to the playoffs - they’re pegged as the No. 2 seed once again. In that forecast, they take down the Lions, Rams, and even the defending champion Seahawks en route to a Super Bowl LXI showdown with the Buffalo Bills.
Now, let’s be clear: predicting a Super Bowl appearance in February is always a bold move. But when you look at what this Bears team has going for it, it’s not exactly a stretch.
The foundation starts with the young core - a group that’s been carefully assembled by GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson. The 2025 rookie class didn’t just flash potential - they contributed right away.
Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, Ozzy Trapilo, and Kyle Monangai all played meaningful snaps and made plays when it mattered. That kind of early impact is rare, and it speaks volumes about both the front office’s eye for talent and the coaching staff’s ability to develop it.
Then there’s Caleb Williams. The former No. 1 overall pick is still growing into the role, but the flashes are undeniable.
His accuracy may still be a work in progress, but his arm talent is off the charts. Williams is making throws that most quarterbacks wouldn’t even attempt, and as he continues to mature, the ceiling only rises.
He’s not just a quarterback with promise - he’s already a difference-maker.
Perhaps the most important shift, though, has come in the locker room. Johnson has done more than just install a new scheme - he’s changed the culture.
This is no longer a team that’s used to losing. It’s a group that hates losing.
And that mindset showed up in a big way last season, especially in crunch time. The Bears set an NFL record with seven fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives.
That’s not just resilience - that’s learning how to win.
Of course, there’s still work to be done. The offseason will be critical in tightening up the roster and addressing any lingering holes. But the Bears aren’t starting from scratch - they’re building on a strong foundation, with a young nucleus that’s hungry and improving.
So while it’s too early to start booking flights to New Orleans for Super Bowl LXI, it’s not too early to say this: the Bears are for real. And if they take another step forward in 2026, don’t be surprised if they’re playing deep into February once again.